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Friday, January 31, 2014

Today I'm wearing Victoria's Secret Shiny Kiss
Flavored Gloss. This sweet, citrus scented gloss has high shine with a wet, yet
not over the top look.

Plus, it's not sticky and has just enough of a pale pink
tint to wear alone or over a lipstick. Not to mention it smells delish!

Perfectly Glossed Kisses,

Sutton

I know there has been a lag in actual personal style shots
from me for this weekly post, and no, I have not had a chemical peel gone
wrong. Frankly, it’s just really cold, you guys. I basically don’t take off my
coat even indoors, so not much to see. I’m really looking forward to some warmth
and sunshine so I can get a little more creative – and by that, all I’m asking
for is a nice like 45 degrees.

For now, I give you three interpretations of my recent
uniform: the cropped sweater and the skater skirt. This combo is just really
flattering, easy to wear, comfortable and hits that ‘90s-grunge-downtown-cool
kind of mark.

Thursday, January 30, 2014

I have a new obsession - CND Vinylux top coat. You NEED to go and purchase this immediately, I got it on Amazon.

So far, I only have the top coat, I haven't tried the Vinylux colors, but believe me, I will be purchasing them. This top coat wears like gel or shellac polish - it lasts forever before chipping and keeps your nails super shiny. It looks just like wet polish - mega shine! Manicures at home just got amped up a notch. But that's not even the best part!

While I love getting shellac or gel polish done at a salon, I don't love the price, and I DESPISE removing it. Not only is it time consuming and difficult - I hate how it leaves my nails weak, dull and overall less healthy.The absolute must-buy reason for this polish - it comes off with regular nail polish as easily as regular nail polish. I promise you, it just swipes off - no soaking cotton balls and holding them on your nails, no intense rubbing and no peeling.

I painted my nails with regular, Essie polish and applied this top coat. This picture is of my nails A WEEK AND A HALF LATER!

I would love to see pictures of your nails after using this top coat - email me at SuttonVanB@gmail.com

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Summer might still seem like a lifetime
away but that doesn’t mean you can’t get in the mood for some sunshine with
some gorgeous new swimwear. This summer is set to see some key trends poolside
with prints, vintage cuts and Eastern influences taking centre stage. Gone is
last year’s focus on fringing and ruffling as simple cuts are back in. Cut-away
styles are still on trend, but not to 2013’s level, so choose carefully if
you’re looking for a one-piece to show some extra skin.

Vintage

Vintage cuts are a reoccurring theme in one
form or another most seasons and 2014 will be no exception. High-waist shorts
and bustiers are a key feature, which is great news for anyone wanting to cover
up a little more and still look sexy on the beach. Emma
Mulholland’s collection didn’t go as far back to the 1950s, as she focused
on super-fun throwback ‘80s style colours and cuts with plenty of neon.

Navy

Nautical and navy go hand in hand so it’s a
natural choice for swimwear and its set to be huge at the beach this summer. At
Fashion Week Miami 2013, Chloe
showcased beautifully simple swimwear many of which featured block navy
colours or stripes. This trend has also been reflected in high street
collections with brands such as South Beach Official using navy, and in this
case combining the colour with a cute pattern, to
create a pretty two-piece.

Go
East

There was a definite Eastern vibe on the
catwalks for this season’s swimwear with Dolores Cortes’s show delivering
dip-dyed swimsuits, animal prints and pieces in the key colours of saffron,
gold and red. The models in Cortes’s collection featured stunning gold head
dresses and turbans to emphasise the rich exotic theme of the collection. The
Eastern trend is great for cover-ups too as kaftans and sarongs in rich shades
are the perfect accessory for hitting the beach bar.

Geometric

Mara Hoffman is known for her love of
prints and her 2014 collection delivers bright and bold geometric patterns in
eye-popping neon, which also have
a touch of Eastern influence. Australian label Suboo also used a geometric
pattern as their key print this season, this time in white and greys with a
touch of colour to give this look a sophisticated feel. Geometrics are a good
choice for girls looking to add some shape to their beach outfits as block
patterns can create the illusion of curves.

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

I can't lie to you - I spend boatloads of money on beauty products. It's my weakness and I admit I have a problem. With that said, not all of my beauty products are expensive. Here are a few of my favorites that cost under $25!

This shampoo is the amazing. I am always hesitant to buy a shampoo and conditioner in one, but this one is an exception. It's sulfate and paraben free, so it is very gentle on hair! I could not believe how shiny and soft it left my hair after just one use.

Stop leaving your house without moisturizer! This is
totally unacceptable. While I have many expensive lotions, this one works
almost as well. It's light and fragrance free so it's even fine for super
sensitive skin.

Who doesn't have one million and one lip glosses? This one should definitely join your collection. It's sheer enough to wear over lipstick, yet has enough of a pink tint to wear alone. Bonus - it leaves your lips with bit of natural plumpness.

All skin types should be using a scrub once a week. Especially in winter when skin tends to be extra dry. This oil free apricot scrub does the job, and it's inexpensive enough to use on your legs before shaving.

Monday, January 27, 2014

My daily e-mail from Moda Operandi
today had the subject of “One shirtdress. Two ways.” And that got me thinking
about how I’ve been kind of obsessed with finding the perfect shirtdress
lately. The shirtdress is arguably one of the most necessary closet staples and
for good reason. The right one is chic on its own and looks just as chic but
totally different when styled in a myriad of different ways.

I love its shape and how its clean,
crisp look is balanced by a little flare. The layered bottom makes for a lovely
silhouette, and is substantial enough to look like an actual skirt if I wear a
sweater over the top.

And this one from J.W. Anderson,
$295 at Moda Operandi, is as perfect as you can get. It’s crisp, sharp and
minimalist, so will look clean and modern on its own and make the ideal
foundation piece for layering.

This one
from Forever
21, just $23, has that T by Alexander Wang vibe – it’s effortless and just
plain cool in its long, sleeveless silhouette.

Another
approach to the look is a denim version, which also has that great advantage of
looking cool on its own or layered – go denim on denim or denim, if your heart
desires. This simple, flattering version is just $40
at Uniqlo.

And if you’re
in the market for something a little more feminine, this eyelet shirtdress from
Band of Outsiders, $645
at La Garconne is just lovely. Cut from eyelet with a flared skirt, it’s
flattering, chic and cool yet elegant.

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Our Story

We are Sutton and Astor Van Brigsby. We were born and raised on Park Avenue, a mere hop, skip and 30-second ride with our driver, Morton, from Fifth Avenue. Oh, yes, there was a time when our daily shopping trips were what chick-flick montages were made of – sales assistants scurried at our beck and call, we did lots of twirling in front of fitting room mirrors without spilling our glasses of champagne, and doormen helped Morton help us into the car with stacks of hatboxes – which had shopping bags of clothing and shoes inside of them, because we’re not really into hats. But our designer RTW-filled reality came crashing to a traumatizing end when our father went ballistic one day – WHY we do not know – and cut up our credit cards. Apparently, it bothered him that we had spent his secretary’s annual salary in one trip to Bergdorf. He completely cut us off, I mean stone cold. With the exception of health insurance, cell phone bills, cable and electricity, we are COMPLETELY on our own. Left to our own devices to stay as well dressed as before but on a salary that doesn’t even compare to our past allowance. So, I, Astor, took a job in fashion and Sutton took a job in beauty. It is all we know and love, after all, and we figured that way we would have our bases covered with discounts – what else is a girl to do? If you’re like us, trying to keep a closet stocked with the kind of stuff Bill Cunningham will notice you in on a less-than-desirable salary, join us, won’t you? We’ll support each other, we’ll have cry fests over things we can’t have – and we’ll come up with ways to make the number of those things less and less by hunting sample sales, scouring the internet for discounts and even DIYing up our own versions. We WILL get through this together.